A former WWE creative writer has revealed how the legendary Undertaker nearly ended up being The Berzerker.

Undertaker, who retired following his loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33 last month, joined WWE in the same year as JJ Dillon, who had a significant say in the direction of Vince McMahon’s organization. Undertaker went on to become one of the biggest icons in the industry in his horror-themed and supernatural gimmick.

But it could have been all different if McMahon had gone with first instincts when deciding upon Mark Calaway’s character.

“I did not see Mark Calaway before the first time he came in [to WWE],” Dillon told Fightful.com. “When he came in, like me, that meeting was in private at Vince’s house. [Undertaker] is an impressive guy, he had the size. In the business, they call the ‘it factor,’ and if you’re in the business on the executive side, it’s hard to find the words to describe ‘it.’ I can’t explain it, but he has ‘it,’ and I guess another word for it is natural charisma and [Undertaker] had it.

“Vince’s first reaction was ‘maybe he could be a Viking with the helmet and the horns.’ He just saw this guy and Vince had a really creative mind. He had a department. [Vince] would take somebody and turn this person over to this department and say to look at them, their body, their features, play with him and feed me some ideas. In all the years that went by, I think the Undertaker is the great wrestling character/persona that has ever lived in the WWE/F. Hands down.”

McMahon did eventually get his Viking character when John Nord joined the company in 1991.

Managed by Mr. Fuji, he soon became known as The Berzerker and actually feuded with Undertaker for a time – attempting to stab him with his sword.

Nord challenged Bret Hart for the WWE Championship in 1992, but left the company the following year for a stint in Japan before a short-lived spell with WCW.

We will never know whether Calaway would have enjoyed as much success cast as a Viking.

But luckily for wrestling fans everywhere, McMahon’s change of heart ensured that the Phenom will never be forgotten.